JOHANNESBURG - Running battles continued between police and residents of Jeppestown, who started protesting on Wednesday over evictions.

Residents were being evicted from old buildings.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers fired rubber bullets towards the top of the buildings earlier, where protesters threw rocks from the top floor.

Weeks of protests prevented the municipalities from collecting refuse, which has piled up, posing a health hazard.

A resident from the informal settlement told Eyewitness News they were pleading for help in resolving the situation.

"I don't know how I can relate this to anyone who's in government just to help us for the community not to go on in this protest. Please, let [Human Settlements MEC Jacob] Mamabolo come and address the people."